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Here is a quick review of the Western Division and a look at the upcoming WMBL season

Okotoks Dawgs

The Dawgs lineup is strong again this year with the return of WMBL MVP Kody Funderburk and Canadian Rookie of the Year Matt Lloyd. With these two WMBL first team all-stars, look for Okotoks to challenge for the Western Division pennant and league championship in 2018.

2017 Regular Season:

Finished first in the Western Division with a 35-13 record. Had the best record in the WMBL

2017 Playoffs:

Lost to Edmonton in the Western Division semi finals

Players to Watch in 2018

Kody Funderburk

* 2017 WMBL Most Valuable Player and first team all-star

* .339 batting average

* Led the WMBL in home runs with 15

Matt Lloyd

* 2017 Canadian Rookie of the Year and first team all-star

* Had a 24-game hitting streak in 2017

* Hit .402 with 8 homers, 38 RBI and 7 stolen bases.

Lethbridge Bulls

A newly renovated stadium highlights the off season for the Lethbridge Bull fans. Carter Witbeck, Darius Carter, Brett Semeniuk, Jesse Hilyard and Chris Stodolka lead a veteran Bulls lineup who will be looking to battle for the Western Division pennant.

2017 Regular Season:

Finished second in the Western Division with a 27-21 record

2017 Playoffs:

Lost to Medicine Hat in the Western Division semi finals

Players to Watch in 2018

Jesse Hilyard

* Second team all-star

* Hit .284 in 116 at bats with 10 doubles and 2 triples

* Also, had 6 home runs and 23 RBI

Chris Stodolka

* Second team all-star

* 10 saves

* 25 strikeouts in 20.2 innings of relief

Medicine Hat Mavericks

With the departure of head coach Michael Thompson, the Medicine Hat Mavericks have turned the reins over to Andrew Murphy. The well-respected Murphy understands what it takes to win in the WMBL and will have his Mavericks ready to take the next step.

2017 Regular Season:

Finished third in the Western Division with a 27-21

2017 Playoffs:

Lost to Edmonton in Division finals

Players to Watch in 2018

David Salgueiro

* Hit .374 in 27 games

* 10 stolen bases

* Had 40 hits in 107 at bats including 9 doubles and 3 triples

Jared Libke

* Pitched in 10 games with 8 starts

* Registered 46 strikeouts in 57 innings

* Tied for team best 4 wins

Edmonton Prospects

The Western Division pennant winners will once again have an extremely strong team this season. Veteran head coach Ray Brown has three local stars Erik Sabrowski, Scott Gillespie and Zaine Foth-Thomas anchoring his pitching staff in 2018, which will make them very competitive.

2017 Regular Season:

Earned a fourth-place Western Division finish with a 24-24 record

2017 Playoffs:

Won Western Division Pennant

Lost to Swift Current in the WMBL Championship Finals

Players to Watch in 2018

Zane Takhar

* First team all-star

* Played in 43 games and hit .341in 164 at bats

* Has 8 doubles and 26 RBIs

Erik Sabrowski

* First team all-star

* Dual threat hit .339 with 3 homers and 20 RBI

* Struck out 50 batters in 36 innings

Fort McMurray Giants

The Giants finished the season with a 7-3 record and look to build on that late season success.

Helping to lead their push to the playoffs will be starting pitchers and Alberta born products Tyler Hodder, who earned first team all-star status last season, and Nik Cardinal.

2017 Regular Season

Fifth overall in the Western Division with a 20-28 record

Players to Watch in 2018

Tyler Hodder

* First team all-star

* Lead Giants with 6 wins in 9 starts

* Had team best 2.36 ERA and picked up 33 strikeouts

Tyler Friis

* .292 batting average in 41 games

* 11 stolen bases, second best on Giants

* Scored 28 runs

Brooks Bombers

The Brooks Bombers will be better in 2018. With a revamped roster, watch for newcomer Conner Morro from Canisius College to supply the offence needed to improve on the team’s overall record.